Basketball: Pac-10 Reflections — Part 8

— A cautionary tale that should make Cal fans nervous: In 2006, Missouri State won 20 games before NCAA Selection Sunday and had an RPI computer rating of No. 21 . . . and did not get picked. It’s the highest RPI-rated team ever bypassed by the committee and the Bears — yes, they have same mascot — had a profile similar to Cal, with a computer score built more on good losses than high-profile victories.

— On the other hand, was the Missouri Valley Conference in 2006 the equal of the Pac-10 in 2010? Oh, never mind.

— News that’s not news: Washington State sophomore Klay Thompson confirmed he will not put his name into the NBA draft after this season. Wonder how much that 0-for-12 shooting performance against USC impacted the decision.

— News that is news: WSU beat USC, anyway.

— Not only was UCLA’s 97-68 loss at Washington the biggest margin of defeat in Ben Howland’s seven seasons at Westwood, it was the most points allowed by the Bruins in 211 games, since a 107-83 loss at Arizona on Feb. 14, 2004.

— Stanford: Road juggernaut.The Cardinal loses its first 10 games on the road, then sweeps in Oregon.

— Just imagine if Oregon guard Malcolm Armstead had missed that jump shot off a pass from Jeremy Jacob with 17:28 left in first half against Cal. Then the Ducks would have tied an NCAA record with zero assists for the game, instead winding up with the one they had.

— If Oregon athletic director Mike Bellotti can take a few minutes off from logging the football team’s arrests, he should do the decent thing and tell coach Ernie Kent that the decision has been made, but the school will allow an alum and a good man to decide whether it’s framed as a resignation or a firing.

— ASU’s Ty Abbott scored 28 points Sunday at Arizona. Wonder if he thought he was already playing Cal? The junior guard, likely the Pac-10’s most improved player this season, has had games of 20, 25 and 30 against the Bears in his career.

— After scoring eight points in five minutes at Oregon, Cal’s Max Zhang is averaging 15.1 points per 40 minutes on the floor in Pac-10 play. Also, 7.5 personal fouls.